Sheet feeding apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Y Xb

' June 18, 1940. G.' E, wlMMER SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed May 13, 1939 ,11, lll

June 18, 1940. G; E. wxMMER SHEET FEEDING APFARATUS 4 Sheets-Shea?l 2f Filed nay 1s, 19:59

June 18 1940- G. E. wlMMER 2,204,715.

' SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed nay 1 5. 1959 '4 sheets-sheet :5 4

June 148, 1940. G. wlMMER 2,204,715

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS Filed ay 13. 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES snEn'r FEEDING APPARATUS Glen E. Wimmer, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation ot West Virginia Application May 13, 1939, Serial No. 273,373

16 claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus of the type by which a single sheet may be fed from a pile-of sheetsona table by a roller or rollers rotatably mounted on an arm-extending 5 over the table and movable vertically so as to permit the roller means to press against the top sheet of the pile, means being provided for driving the roller at timed intervals in the direction Io'r causing the top sheet of the pile to move edgewise forwardly from thepile. It is the object ot the invention to provide an improved form and arrangement of parts by which the downward pressure of the roller on the pile of sheets may be adjusted and controlled for enabling the roller to work satisfactorily with sheets of diieent thickness, weight, hardness, and smoothness, so as to insure that a single sheet shall be moved at each period of rotation of the roller.

In my improved arrangement, I have provided 20. a spring which tends when in tightened condition to apply a downward pressure on the arm which carries the forwarding roller or rollers, means being provided for adjusting the effective strength of such spring so as to cause the roller means to press with the desired degree offorce on the pile of sheets. My improved construction also comprises an improved arrangement flatching means for holding the arm and the connected shaft in turned position for supporting the forwarding' rollers in spaced relation to the pli of sheets so as to enable the operator easily to renew the pile of sheets on the table. My improved arrangement is such that, when the operator desires to lower the rollers from their ele- 4vated position again into their lowered position for engagement with the pile of sheets, he can bring about a release of the latching means by an upward movement of the roller a short distance beyond the position at which they are normally held, and such that, upon thenext succeeding upward movement of the rollers after being lowered into engagement lwith the pile and with-4 out any' attention on the part of the operator,

the latching means again is in condition to .be

eil'ective'for holding the rollers in their elevated position.

It is another object. of my invention to improve apparatus of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by whichl y Fig. 41 is a side view of a duplicating machine equipped with my improved sheet forwarding apg paratus;

o which lI have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken stantially at the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken stantially .at the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken stantially at the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is av vertical sectional view taken `stantially at the line l--S of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view similar portion of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken stantialy at the linea-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken stantially at the line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of operating parts of the structure as Shown in Fig. 9;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are vertical sectional views taken substantially at the line'I2-I2, the line l3-|3, and the line M respectively, of Fig. 9; Fig. 15- is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1 but on an enlarged scale with certain of the parts shown in section and showing some of the parts in changed position;

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. lbut'showing a second changed position of the parts; p

Fig. 17 is a view generally similar to a portion of the mechanism as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, but with the section taken at a different point and showing a third changed position of the parts; and l Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but showing the forwarding rollers in the same position as in Fig. 1. Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 25 and 26 indicate standards at opposite sides of the machine, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, each of said Y standards being in the form of a housing pressed out of sheet metal. Said housings 25 and 26 are connected in rigid relation to each other by a considerable number of parts, including an angle bar 21, as is best shown in Fig-1. Between the sub- Sllb.- 5

sub-

sub-

l0 to a subsub-

standards 25 and 26, I have mounted a drum 28 supported by a shaft 29 which is driven, in the arrangement shown, by a handle 30, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As is clearly shown in Fig. 1, the drum l2li is provided withv` gripper means 3|A adapted to hold a master sheet 32 releasably in position upon the drum in a manner fully understood in connection with machines of this type. A platen roller 33 is rotatably mounted below the drum in position to apply pressure suitable type being provided for applying a fllm of solvent to a copy sheet moving forward between -the rollers 34 and 35, the roller 34 being driven' by any suitable means not shown. In the arrangement shown, the roller 35 is carried by a pivotally mounted arm 31 to the forward end of which a coiled spring' 38 is connected for pressing the roller 35 toward the roller :34. A receptacle 39 for solvent is provided in which there is located a pump 46 for delivering solventthrough a pipe 4i to the moistener mechanism 36. A drain pipe 42 is provided between the moistening mechanism 36 'and the receptacle 39 for returning surplus solvent to said receptacle. The pump 46 is operated by a lever 43 which in turn is reciprocated by a lever 44 provided with Va roller`45 at its end portion in position to engage a cam 46 carried by the shaft 29. The arrangement is such that upon each revolution of the drum 28 the pump 66 is given an operative stroke for forcing a supply of solventA into the mostening mechanism 36. I

Adjacent to the drum 28, I have provided a table 41 which is preferably removable from its position, being removably secured in the arrange'- ment as shown in'Fig. 1 by a latch arm 66. The table is provided with side margin bars 49 which are pressed downwardly upon the table by means comprising coiled springs 56, as shown in Fig. 3, the margin bars 49 being` adjustable sidewise for holding a pile of copy sheets 5i in the desired adjusted position on the table, as shown in said Fig. 3. At the edge-of the table disposed toward 'the drum 26, guide plates 52 and 53 are provided -in forwardly converging position with` respect to each other so as to' direct a sheet 5I to the bite of the rollers 34 and 35 (see Fig. 1).

The means for feeding copy sheets from the pile 5I to the'rollers 34 and 35 comprises an arm 54 pivotally mounted above the table 41 so as to be movable vertically toward and from the table. Upon its forward end, the arm 54 is provided with a transversely extending shaft E5 upon which are mountedpaper feeding rollers 56 Vwhich in theirlowered position are adapted to engage the top face of the top sheet of the pile on the table 41. i

Inthe arrangement shown,rthe arm 54 is in the-'form of a housing which is xedly mounted u'ponthe inner end of a tubular shaft member 51 extending over the table fromone side of the machine, -as is best shown in Fig. 3. -At its outer end, the tubular shaft member 51 is releasably connected with a spindle 58 4(see Fig. 9) which is journaled in a bearing block 56 carried by the framework of the machine. vIn the arrangement shown, the frame ofthe machine is v provided with .auxiliary standard members 66 and 6| at opposite sides of Athe machine for 'supporting the members upon which the arm 54 is mounted, the bearing block 59 being flxedly mounted in the auxiliary 'standard 6l.

The tubular shaft member 51 is releasably connected with the spindle 58 by means of va socket member 62 in an opening in the outer 'end of which a head 63 carried by the spindle 58 is mounted,

pins 64 carried by the head being arranged in engagement with notches.65k in the side wall portions of vthe socket member for causing the 'tubular shaft member 51 and the spindle 58v to rotate together.

The tubular shaft member 51 is reinforced in vthe shaft 66 causes the shaft 66 to-rotate with The arrangement is such that when .the head position by a shaft member 66 which is journaled at an intermediate point in the housing 64 and extends fromsuch hearing into the tubular shaft member and into engagement with a bearing 61 carried by the socket member62. At the opposite side of the machine (at the left in Fig.`3) the shaft 66 extends into a sleeve member 68 which is slidable longitudinally'ofthev shaft 66 so as to be adapted to have releasable engagement with a short shaft section 69 arranged in alignment with the shaft 66. In the arrangement shown, the shaft section 69 is provided with a transversely positioned pin 16 adapted to engage notches 1I in the end of the sleeve 66 so as to cause the shaft 66 to rotate vwith the shaft section 69. A coiled spring 12 interposed between the end of the shaft 66 and a pin 13 extending across the sleeve member 66 serves normally to hold the sleeve member pressed to the limit of its motion toward the left in Fig. 3 for maintaining an operative connection between the shaft 66 and the shaft section 69. A pin 14 carried by the sleeve 66 and engaging a longitudinally extending slot 15 in the sleeve while at the same time permitting longitudinal movement of the sleeve against the action of the spring 12 when the operator desires to remove from the machine the arm 54 and its supporting parts as above described.

The shaft 55 and the paper feeding rollers 56 are connected with the shaft 66 so as to be driven thereby through the medium of sprocket gears 16 and 11 and a cooperating sprocket chain .16, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6. The shaft section 69 is driven in counter clockwiseV direction in Fig. 1, for causing the rollers 56 to move in counter clockwise direction for carrying a sheet 5i toward the right in said figure, by means of a clutch member comprising a head 19 carried bya pinion l66 journaled upon said shaft section 69, such head member being provided with notches 6| in its face in which balls or rollers 92 are mounted for driving a heavy plate 33 connected with the shaft section 69.

191s driven in clockwise direction in Fig. 5 the clutching members v482 serve to drive the heavy plate 63 in the same direction for giving the rollers 56Y the desired counter clockwise rotation insaid Fig. 1. A

For driving the head 19 and the pinion 66 in clockwise il'lirectio'n in Fig. 5 (in counter clockwise direction in Fig. 1), I have provided a lever84 pivotally mounted at an intermediate point upon the framework of the machine, such lever being provided with teeth 65 on its upper-v end meshing with the pinion 66. At its lowerend, the lever 84 is connected with one end of a link 86, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with a. lever 61 pivotally mounted at 86 upon the framework of the machine and provided with a roller 69 rotatably mounted upon its upper end. .The roller 69 is actuated by the cam 46 for oscillating the lever 64, a spring 96 beingI connected with the link '66 for holding the roller 69 in engagement with the cam 46. The arrangement is such that upon each revolution of the drum 26 the spring 96"'draws the link '66 toward the right in Fig. l for causinghotary 70 roller 69 toward the right for carrying the link 86 toward the left in said Fig. l against the l f,

action of the spring 99 for causing rotation of the pinion 89 in the opposite direction. Upon the rotation of the pinion 99 in one direction the rollers 56 are driven for forwarding a copy sheet; upon rotation of the pinion in the opposite direction the free-wheeling clutch yields for permitting the rollers 56 to remain stationary. After a sheet has been moved by the rollers 56 into operative engagement with the forwarding rollers 34 and 35, the free-wheeling clutch permits the sheet tol continue its movement toward the right independently of the pinion 89.

Referring now to Fig. 9, where the arrangement is best shown, 9| indicates a member in the form of a disk which is ixedly mounted upon-the spindle 58, to which one end of a coiled spring 92 is connected, the opposite end of said spring being connected to the` end wall of a housing 93 in the form of a drum closed Vat its outer end. Atits inner end, the drum 93 is provided With a plurality of sockets 94 spacedV thereabout in position to enable a selected one of said sockets to engage a pin carried by the standard member 6| near its upper end. The arrangement is such that the drum 93 may be moved outwardly against the action of the spring 92 for withdrawing the-drum from en gagement with the pin 9.5, whereupon the drum can be given a rotary movement for either tightening or loosening the spring 92, after which the drum can be again moved ltoward the left for bringing one of the sockets 94 again into engagement with the pin for maintaining the spring 92 in the changed stressed condition. As will be appreciated from an inspection of Fig.'`

18, for example, vwhen the spring 92 has been put under tension by rotary movement of the drum 93 in clockwise direction in said ligure, the spring serves through the pinion 58 andV the tubular shaft 51 to apply downward pressure upon the arm 54 and the rollers 56 for holding the rollers pressed downwardly with the desired tension. For limiting the outward movement of the drum 93, I have provided a machine screw 93a whose head engages a iange 93h about the drum at its inner end.

The disk 9| 'is also arranged to have a latching effect for holding the arm 54 and the rollers 56 in elevated position above the table as shown in Fig. 15. For effecting this result, `the disk 9| is cut away' at one side to provide ashoulder 96 (seenFig. 11) which is adapted in one position of the disk to engage a dog 91 pivotally mounted in a pocket 99 in the bearing member 59, as is clearly shown in Fig. 9. The arrangement'of the parts is such that when the arm 54 is in lowered position the shoulder 96 is at one side of the disk 9|, as is shown in Fig. 18, but that when the arm 54 is raised the shoulder moves into position as shown in Fig. 15 for permitting the dog 91 to move downwardly into operative engagement with the shoulder, as shown in said Fig. 15. The `dog 91 of course serves to hold the arm 54 and the rollers 56 in elevated position.

Between the disk 9| and the bearing member 59, I have provided a bearer- 99, also in the form of a disk, loosely mounted upon the spindle 56 .and cut away at one side to provide a shoulder |99 corresponding substantially to the shoulder 96 of the disk 9|. Means is provided for causing the disks 9| and 99 to rotate together vwith a limited amount of' lost motion between them,'such means comprising a pin |9| projecting from the disk 9| so as to extend through a circumferentlally elongated opening |92 in the bearer disk 99.

For controlling the movement of the disk 99. I have provided a bowed spring |93 mounted on the outer face lof the bearing member 59 having a shoulder |94 at about its middle portion adapted to engage alternatively a narrow groove |95 or `a circumferentially elongated groove |96 in the The spring |93 face of the disk (see Fig. 10). and the grooves or notches |95 and |96 are so arranged that the shoulder |94 of the spring.

shown in Fig. 18. Upon further upward movement ofthe arm 54, the pin |9| causes the bearer disk 99 to rotate in counterclockwise direction in said Fig. l5 with the disk 9|, serving to force the shoulder |94 of the spring |93 out of engagement with the elongated notch |96 and into engagement Vwith the notch or groove |95 into the position as shown' in Fig. 16. As the bearer disk 99 approaches the position as shown in Fig. 16, the dog 91 is forced upwardly by a camming action so as to be relieved from the shoulder 96 of the disk 9|. Under such circumstances, the arm 54 is then free to move in clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 16 to the position shown in Fig. 18. In the course of such movement, the pin |9| is brought into engagement with the end of the elongated opening |92 at the left as shownin Fig. 17 after the shoulder 96 of the disk 9| has passed the dog 91. Upon the continued rotation of the disk 9| in clockwise direction from the position as shown in Fig. 17, the shoulder |94 of the spring is forced out of engagement with the groove |95 andgagain into engagement with theelongated groove or notch |96 into the position as shown in Fig. 18..

As is clearly shown in Fig. 15, a pin |91 carried by the bearing` member 59 serves by engagement with the elongated notch |96 to limit the rotary movement of the bearer disk 99. In the arrangement shown, a pin |98 is provided on the drum 93 in position to engage the dogr91 for limiting the rotary movement of said drum 93 in either direction.

By the use of my improved construction, the latching mechanism comprising the disk 9| and the dog 91`is effective when the arm 54 is raised to hold the arm against downward movement. When however the arm is raised to a higher point above the table 41, the bearer 99 is brought into changed position so as to cause the dog 91 to be released from the shoulder 96 and to be maintained in raised position upon a subsequent downward movement of the arm 54 until the shoulder 96 of the latching disk 9| has passed the 4dog 91.

By my improved construction, I have provided a mechanism by which the strength of the pressure of the sheet feeding rollers upon the pile of sheets can be regulated to meet varying requreinents when diiferent types of paper are elnployed. In connection with this arrangement, I have provided an automaticallyA acting latch mechanism` adapted to hold the arm-in elevated position as desired Vand adapted upon aneasy manipulation of the parts to release for permitting downward movement of the arm when desired.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrange- 1| fliii lid above described, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the construction and arrangement as shown except so far as the .claims 1 may be so limited, it being understood that changes might well be made in the structure without departing from my invention.

.I claim:

1. In a sheet feeding apparatus,l the combina.-A

tion of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a` rock shaft rotatably mounted adjacent toY said table, an arm mounted on .said rock shaft so as to move therewith and extending over saidtable, paper feeding means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of the pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the pile, and yielding means mounted on said frame and :releasably bearing on said roel: shaft for pressing said paper feeding ineans downwardly and adjustable for controlling the degree of pressure of said pape feeding means on said sheet.

2. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination ol a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a rock shaft rotatably mounted on said frame so as to extend over the table and so as to be readily removable from operative position, an arm mounted on said vfili rock shaft so as to move toward. and from said pile of sheets as the shaft is rotated, roller means rotatably mounted on said arm in position to engage the top face of the top sheet of said pile, means for driving said roller means intermittently in the direction for causing said roller means to move lsaid top sheet'edgewise from the pile, and yielding means'mounted on saidframe and detachably connected with said rock shaft for pressing said roller means downwardly and adjustable for controlling the degree of pressure ofV said roller means on said top sheet. f

3. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on,said frame so as-to .support a pile of sheets, a rock shaft rotatably mounted on said frame so as to extend over` the tablel and so-as to be readily removable from operative position, an arm mounted on'said rock shaft so as to move toward and yfrom said pile of sheets as the shaft is rotated, roller means rotatably mounted on -said arm in position to engage the top face of the top .sheetof said pile, means comprising a second shaft serving as a support-for said first-named shaft and as driving means for intermittently rotating said roller means in the direction for moving the top sheet from the table, andyielding meansmounted on said frame and detachably-.oonnected with said rock shaft for pressing said roller means downwardly and adjustable for controlling the degree of said table and extending over the table, a se'cond shaft Amember rotatably mounted on -said frame at' the opposite side of the table .and extending into said tubular shaft member, an arm 4mounted on sa'id tubular rock shaft so as to move therewith above said table, roller means rotatably mounted on said arm'in position to engage the top face of the topsheet of said pile, means for driving said roller means from said second` shaft, means for driving said second shaft intermittently in the directio'nfor causing said roller means to move said top sheet edgewise from the pile, and yielding means bearing on said rock -shaft for pressing said roller means downwardly and adjustable for controlling the degree of pressure of said roller means on said top sheet.

5. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a spindle rotatably mounted on said frame at one sid'e of said table, a tubular rock shaft releasably connected with said spindle so as to rotatetherewith when in position, a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame at the opposite side of the table and extending into said tubular shaft member and mounted so as to be removable from operative position with said tubular shaft member, an arm mounted on said rock shaft so as to move therewith above said table, roller means rotatably mounted on said arm in position to engage the top face of the top sheet of said pile, means for driving said roller means from said second shaft,

means for driving said second shaft intermittently in the direction for causing said roller means to move said top sheet edgewise, from the pile, and yielding means bearing on said spindle for applying downward pressure through said tubular shaft member and arm on said roller means and adjustable for controlling the degree of such downward pressure.

6. In a. sheet feeding-apparatus, the combination of a frame, a tablecmounted on said frame so as to support apile-of sheets, a spindle rotatably Amounted on Asaid'frame at oneside of said table, a. tubular rockshaft releasably connected with said spindle/'seas to rotate therewith when Iin position, a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame at the 'opposite side of the table and means for drivingsaid second shaft intermittently in the direction for causing said roller means to move saidy top sheet edgewise from the pile, a coiled spring-about said spindle having one end secured nxedly to the spindle, a housing member-,about the spindle to'which the opposite end portion of said spring is attached. and means for holdingv said housing in adjusted position with vrespect to said frame for adjusting the effective strength of said'spring.

1 1; In a -sheet feeding apparatus, the combina- 1 tion of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as t'd support a pile of sheets, a. spindle rotatably mounted on said frame at one side of said table, a tubular rock shaft releasably connected with said spindle so as to rotate therewith when in position, a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame at the opposite side of the table and extending into said tubular shaft member and mounted so as Ato be removable from operative position with said tubular shaftmember, an arm y mounted on said rock shaft so as to move th'erewith above said table, roller means rotatably mounted on said arm in position to engage the top face of the top sheet of said pile, means for driving said roller means from said second shaft, means for fdriving said second shaft intermittently inthe direction for causing said roller means to movesaid top sheet edgewise from the pile, a coiled spring about said spindle havin! one end securedfixedly to the spindle, ahousing member in the form of a' drum closed at its outer end rotatably mounted with respect to said spindle and having the opposite end portion of said spring ixedly connected to the housing, and a. pin carried by said frame opposite to the wall of said drum 4adapted to engage any of -a plurality of sockets in said wall for holding said drum in adjusted position angularly with respect to the frame for controlling the effective strength of said spring. Y 'v n 8. YIn a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so `as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said shaft so as to move therewith toward and` from vsaid table, paper feeding means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from thepile, and latch means adapted to act automatically when the arm is raised from its lowered operative position to hold the arm in raised position and adapted when the arm is raisedstill further to be released for permitting `the arm again to descend to operative lowered position.

. 9. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said shaft so as to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the pile, and means comprising a dog 4and a shouldered latch member carried by said frame and said shaft adapted by engagement when said arm is raised a shortdistance above the table to hold the arm in raised position and adapted when the arm is raised to a higher point to cause said dog to move out of engagement with said latch member for lowered again to operative position.

10. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said shaft so asA to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding meansl carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the topA sheet of said pileto move said top sheet edgewise from the pile, a pivotally mounted dog on said frame, a shouldered latch member carried by said shaft adapted at an intermediate point in an upward ,movement of said arm to engage said dog for holding theY arm in raised position, yand means actuated by a movement of said arm to the limit of its motion away from the table to hold said dog out of engagement with said shouldered latch member so as topermit said arm to descend to its lowered .operative position.

11. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame. an arm mounted on said shaft so as 4to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the'pile, a pivotally mounted dog on said frame, a shouldered latch member carried by saidishaft adapted at anintermediate point in an upward movement of said arm to engage said dog for holding the arm in Vraised position,

Va bearer rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent to said latch member, lost motion connections between said latch member and said bearer permitting the armto be for causing the bearer to move in either direction with the latch me'mber after the'lost motion is taken up, and yielding means adapted'to resist the movement of said bearer eithei into or out of the position at about Vthe limitof its movement, said bearer being adapted-at its said linut position atwhich it is yieldingly held togprevent said dog from engaging said latch member.

12. In a sheet feeding apparatus. the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said adapted at an intermediate point in an upward movement `of said arm to engage said dog for holding the arm in raised position, a bearer rotatably mounted on said shaft adjacent to said latch member, lost motion connections between said latch member and said bearer for causing the bearer to move in either direction with the latch member after the lost motion is taken up, and a spring carried by the frame adapted yieldingly to hold said bearer turned in the direction in which itis carried by a movement of said arm to the limit of its motion upwardly, said bearer being adapted in said position in which it is yieldingly held to prevent said dog from engaging said latch member.

13. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile of sheets, a tubular rock shaft rotatably mounted on said frame at one side of said xtable and extending' over the table, a second shaft rotatably mounted on said frame at.the opposite side of the table and extending into said tubular shaft member, said two shaft members being readily removable from the frame by movement longitudinally with respect to each other, an arm mounted on one of said shaft members so as to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding means carried by said arm adapted by engagementwith the top vsheet of said pile to move'said top sheet edge- -a higher point to release for permitting the arm to be lowered again to operative position.

14. In a sheet feeding apparatus, thelf combination of a iframe, a table mounted on said frame so as to support a pile Aof sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said shaft so as to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding' means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the pile, a dog pivotally mounted on said frame so as to extend along the shaft directly above the shaft, a disk xedly mounted on said shaft having a shoulder with which said dog may engage for holding the shaft in position to support the paper feeding means inY upwardly spaced relation to said pile of sheets, and means comprising a second disk mounted on said shaft 'adapted by ,engagement with said dog when said arm is disk for permitting the arm-to move again to its lowered operative position. p

15. In a sheet feeding apparatus, the combination of a frame, a table mounted on said frame so asto support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mounted on saidi'rame. an arm mounted on said shaft so as to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding means carried by said v arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet -of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the-pile, a dog pivotally mounted on said frame so as to extend along the shaft directly abovev with a limited amount oi lost motion between them said secondv diskobeing adapted by engagement with said dog when said arm is raised to a higher point to move said dog out of engagement with said mst-named disk for permitting said rm to move again to its lowered operative posiit. in a sheet feedlna apparatus. the combina- QOU' ' tion of' a frame, a

mounted on said frame, an arm mounted on said shaft so as to move therewith toward and from said table, paper feeding. means carried by said arm adapted by engagement with the top sheet of said pile to move said top sheet edgewise from the pile; a dog pivotally mounted on said frame so as to extend along the shaft directly above the shaft,'a disk-xedly mounted on said shaft having a shoulder with which said dog may engage for holdingA the shaft in position to support thepaper feeding means in upwardly spaced relation to -said pile of sheets, a second disk mo'un on said shaft underneath said dog; a pin on .one of said-disks extending into a circumierentialiy elongated opening in the other disk for causing one o! said disks vto move'the other disk4 with a limited amount of lost motion between them, and yielding means adapted to resist the movement of said seconddisk either into or out of its limit position with respect to said firstnamed dish. said second disk being adapted by engagement with said dog when said arm is raisedI to a higher point to move said dog out of ensagement with said mst-named disk for pertable mounted on said 'iran-iev so as to support a pile of sheets, a shaft rotatably mitting said arm to move again to its lowered y 

